 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarinoob
Date: 2012-08-06 08:11
Attachment: DSC07269sm.jpg (307k)
Hi! First time user here
We obtained this Clarinet and have been trying to identify it without any avail.
Can anyone help us, or point us in the right direction?
There are no markings or serial numbers that we can find
Uncertain about kind of wood
Seems old, in bad repair.
Case is old as well, use of straw for the padding...
Here is a pic, tell me if you need more
Post Edited (2012-08-06 08:19)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-08-06 17:58
The problem with old Albert/simple system clarinets that are unmarked is they could be made by anyone. The key shapes are fairly universal on them too, so that makes it difficult to pinpoint it to any one maker.
The most noticeable features with this one are the C/G tonehole that goes through the tenon (like Clinton system clarinets made by Boosey&Co) and the side Eb/Bb key which isn't found on most - they usually have just the side F/C key and trill key. The throat G# key appears too short to be a Boosey&Co.
The hole through the middle tenon looks a lot like that as seen on Selmers with articulated G# fitted (BT, CT, etc.) as it has the raised square bush surrounding the tonehole, but Selmer would generally stamp their clarinets with the logo on all the joints and the serial number on the main body sections.
It could be either English, French, Belgian or Italian so take your pick. I don't think it's German or Austrian as they often fit the rings for LH 1 and 2 for the better tuned open F#, but there isn't much to go on to give up its precise origin.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-08-06 23:55
The separate throat Ab and A keys and the lack of the patent F#/C# mechanism mark it as fairly early.
Ken Shaw
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Author: cearnsh
Date: 2012-08-07 11:11
It does have the patent F#/C# linkage.
The short Ab key hints that it's either not English, or not particularly early.
Chris
Chris
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-08-07 22:29
Chris -
Thanks. I must have blinked. Not the first time.
Clarinoob -
I have a no-name clarinet that looks a lot like yours, except it's in C. I tried to find out more about it, but was told that it's a hopeless quest. In particular, British military bands continued to use clarinets like this, and ones with even fewer keys, into the 20th century. At least it doesn't have saltspoon key cups.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-08-07 23:35
Ken Shaw, you beat me to it. I also have a no-name C clarinet very like this one. Mine was bought in Scotland, but I don't know if it started life there.
Tony F.
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Author: Clarinoob
Date: 2012-08-08 01:45
Tony F said: "I also have a no-name C clarinet very like this one."
Do you have any idea what yours is worth Tony?
I assume yours is in a lot better condition than this one is...
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-08-08 09:12
Hi Clarinoob. I bought mine on EBay UK in a poor state for 65 Pounds sterling. I stripped the keys and cleaned and polished the wood, which was in surprisingly good condition. I buffed the keys and rings, repadded and recorked it and fixed a small crack in the barrel.
Tony F.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-08-08 09:18
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Hi Clarinoob. I bought mine on EBay UK in a poor state for 65 Pounds sterling. I stripped the keys and cleaned and polished the wood, which was in surprisingly good condition. I buffed the keys and rings, repadded and recorked it and fixed a small crack in the barrel. I'm not sure what its worth now, but I have about 100 Pounds in it. It had some tuning issues, but after the crack in the barrel was fixed they went away. It plays quite well now.
Tony F.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-08-08 12:25
Clarinoob -
Your clarinet is in rough condition, with what looks like a chunk of wood missing from the top of the lower joint. As is, I think the value is negligible. It would depend on finding someone like Tony F. who wants to take it on as a massive restoration project.
So it goes.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-08-08 12:35
The other problem with these old Albert/simple systems is so many were built to sharp or high pitch (452Hz) as opposed to modern or low pitch (440Hz) so they can't be played alongside instruments built to 440Hz.
Sometimes you may be lucky in finding a low pitch simple system clarinet in which case it can be played alongside modern instruments. Some makers will stamp instruments with "HP" or "LP" to make it clear what pitch they're built to.
The instruments that are regularly built to HP nowardays are mainly band flutes and bagpipes.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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